Children bullied during their early years are up to three times more likely to self harm than their class-mates when they reach adolescence, a study by King's College London, has revealed.

According to its findings, around half of 12-year-olds who subject themselves to deliberate injury were frequently picked on.

The research, which has been published in the British Medical Journal, also showed victimised children with mental health difficulties and those from troubled families were at greater risk of resorting to destructive behaviour which could have serious long-term effects in later life.